Methodology
What the calculator computes, where the numbers come from, and how we researched the carrier comparison — so you can judge how much weight to put on any figure here.
How the coverage-gap math works
The calculator targets replacing 65% of your gross monthly income as a starting recommendation, then subtracts whatever existing group LTD benefit you enter to arrive at a coverage gap. 65% is a commonly used industry starting point for income replacement targets, not a number derived from your specific tax situation or expenses — treat it as a reasonable default to adjust from, not a precise personal target.
The estimated premium range applies a rough 1–3% of annual income, consistent with commonly cited ranges for physician individual DI policies, and adds a small illustrative load for each optional rider you select in expert mode. This is not a rate table from any carrier — it will not match an actual underwritten quote, which depends on your age, health, specialty, state, and the specific carrier's rate structure.
The coverage-adequacy score is simply your existing group LTD benefit as a percentage of the recommended target benefit, capped at 100. It's a quick visual for "how much of the gap is already closed," not an actuarial or underwriting score.
The state field is illustrative context, not a state-by-state legal or regulatory breakdown. Disability insurance availability, riders, and rate regulation genuinely vary by state, and the calculator doesn't model those differences — confirm state-specific availability and rules with a carrier or licensed broker before relying on any number here.
Every calculation runs client-side, in your browser — no inputs are sent to a server unless you separately submit the email capture form.
Where the specialty income data comes from
Median income figures by specialty are drawn from the Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2026 (5,916 physicians surveyed, published April 2026). These are national medians and will vary by geography, practice setting, and years of experience — use them as a reference point, not a personal benchmark.
The disability-prevalence figures referenced on the homepage combine an estimated current prevalence (~3%, from AAMC / JAMA Network Open data) with a separate, widely circulated industry estimate that roughly 1 in 5 physicians will experience a disabling condition during their career. The second figure is not tied to one specific study and is presented as a commonly cited estimate, not a precise statistic.
How the carrier comparison was researched
Carrier-specific notes were compiled from published, independent sources covering the physician disability insurance market — including Student Loan Planner, White Coat Investor, MedMoneyGuide, DoctorDisability, and LeverageRx — rather than from carrier marketing materials.
Specific, checkable claims (rider terms, financial-strength ratings, state exclusions, and similar) were reviewed against those sources and corrected where the initial research turned out to be dated or imprecise before publishing — for example, adjusting a claim about preferential pricing that a carrier had since discontinued for individual policies, and replacing a vague financial-strength comparison with confirmed Comdex scores. Carrier rates, riders, and ratings change over time; if you're relying on a specific claim here for a real decision, confirm it directly with the carrier or an independent broker first.
What we don't do
We're not a licensed insurance agency and don't sell, quote, or bind policies. Nothing on this site is personalized financial, tax, or legal advice. Where we point to a partner brokerage, any referral fee we receive is flat and disclosed, and not contingent on you purchasing anything — see the footer on every page for the full disclosure language.